Etrasimod for Ulcerative Colitis: Global Phase III trial by Arena Pharmaceuticals
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease characterized by inflammation to inner lining of the colon and occurs slowly. It is a rare disease and some times lead to life-threatening conditions.
Various types of UC include Ulcerative proctitis, Proctosigmoiditis, Left-sided colitis, Pancolitis, Acute severe ulcerative colitis. Treatment of UC is accompanied with various means based on the severity. The drugs include 5-Aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids like prednisone and budesonide, Immune modulators Azathioprine, Cyclosporine and Tofacitinib, Biologics like Infliximab, Vedolizumab etc., As a last resort surgery will be performed.
In order to come-up with most new orally effective potent drug candidate for UC, the pharmaceutical firm, Arena has emerged with Etrasimod (APD334). Etrasimod successfully cleared pre-clinical, Phase-I and Phase – II Clinical trials and entered into Phase III trials globally. The dose of Etrasimod is set at 2 mg and was indicated for moderate to severe UC.
Etrasimod is considered to be next generation once-a-day orally administered potent drug for UC, acts through highly selective sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator.
The company expects to complete whole trials by the end of 2021. Looking forward for an oral drug for effective treatment of Ulcerative Colitis.
